The purpose of the symposium is to share information on the current situation and future prospects of education for sustainable development (ESD), and to identify challenges for ESD with the participation of citizens and representatives of government, academia and NGOs. Education for sustainable development is not simply environmental education; it involves perspectives on economic development, social equity and culture as well as environmental issues. ESD addresses education that can lead to a sustainable society, and implies education on sustainable production and consumption, changes in lifestyles (less dependence on materials), respect for cultural diversity, etc. It should be integrated into programmes for "Education for All" in developing countries.

The symposium will contribute to raising awareness for the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 - 2014). Keynote speeches by the Rector of UNU and a representative from the City of Yokohama will be followed by a panel discussion among academics, an education supervisor, and experts from business and NGOs. Simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation will be provided. Media representatives are cordially invited to attend.

This symposium is organized as part of the UNU-APEC Education Network Invitation Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), through which officials/experts from APEC economies are invited for one week (24 - 30 August) to discuss the concept of education for sustainable development and to explore cooperation on ESD among APEC economies, international organizations and relevant stakeholders (http://www.ias.unu.edu/index.cfm for more details).